Charleston to open 5 parking garages ahead of coastal flooding threat

CHARLESTON, S.C. (WCBD) – Five parking garages will open for residents to keep their vehicles safe from the threat of coastal flooding this week.

Hurricane Milton is expected to slam into Florida’s west coast as a major hurricane on Thursday before crossing the peninsula and reemerging over the Atlantic Ocean. While impacts along South Carolina’s coast will be minimal, there is a threat of coastal flooding, storm surge, and gusty wind.

The National Weather Service says storm surge inundation of one to three feet above normally dry ground is possible along the Charleston County coast including downtown Charleston.

“The greatest potential for inundation could occur with the high tide Thursday afternoon. Flooding concerns could continue into Friday afternoon,” the NWS said.

Additionally, forecasters say up to an inch of rainfall is likely along the South Carolina coast with locally higher amounts possible.

The downtown parking garages will open Thursday at 9 a.m. until Friday at 8:30 a.m.

Locations:

• Aquarium parking garage – 24 Calhoun Street
• Visitor Center parking garage – 63 Mary Street
• 99 WestEdge parking garage – 99 West Edge Street
• Charleston Tech Center parking garage – 997 Morrison Drive
• East Bay/Prioleau parking garage – 25 Prioleau Street

To take advantage of the free parking, residents must press the call button when they leave the garage and inform the operator they are using the free storm parking.